Inspiring young minds at the May Festival

Inspiring young minds at the May Festival

School pupils will be learning about our genetic code using Lego, considering whether we can really trust 'connected technology' and exploring how we can save our oceans at this year's May Festival.

Organised by the University of Aberdeen and sponsored by Total E&P UK the dedicated School’s Festival will get underway at King’s College campus tomorrow (Tuesday May 22).

It will offer school children from across Aberdeen city and shire the opportunity to get to grips with subjects ranging from storytelling to science in fun and interactive ways.

Now in its fifth year, the School’s strand at May Festival has seen more than 5,000 pupils visit the University for the free events and 2018 has proved equally popular with all the sessions quickly snapped up by participating schools.

Festival organiser Jill Murray from the University of Aberdeen’s Events team said this year’s programme had struck a chord with teachers from the region.

“The School’s Festival has always been an important and popular part of the May Festival and 2018 is no exception,” she said.

“The programme covers a range of topics that resonate with today’s school pupils including sessions examining how we can save our oceans with the University’s Marine Society, an interactive look at how flooding affects different landscapes and a look at internet privacy and connected technology using a smart dolls house and city simulator.

“Our events are targeted across the age range from P1 to upper secondary. Younger pupils can enjoy story telling with authors Brian G Chambers, Steve Wilko and Jess Smith while our older students can find out how our doctors learn which medicines make people better, how diseases become epidemics and how to improve their own wellbeing using mindfulness.

“We hope those who attend will have great fun while learning something new in the inspiring surroundings of our King’s College campus.”

Sandra McLennan, CSR Leader, Total E&P UK said: “TEPUK actively engages in local projects that reflect the vision of Total worldwide. Respecting the environment is one of our key priorities so we are delighted that the 2018 May Festival education programme includes a variety of themed activities on this subject for schools to experience and enjoy.”

The School’s programme at May Festival runs from Tuesday May 22 to Friday May 25 and will lead onto the main festival which will run throughout the weekend with more than 100 events for all the family.

Many of the sessions are free and run on a drop-in basis. To see the full programme please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/mayfestival